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Governor Baker updated the public on Thursday's storm. He urged the public to continue to stay off the roads and stressed that the worst of the storm is yet to come. (Published Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017)

Thousands of crews are on the road preparing for Thursday's nor'easter, which is expected to bring more than a foot of snow to many in southern New England.

In Massachusetts, more than 3,500 crews were treating roads in the east and plowing them in the Berkshires by 12:30 p.m., according to MassDOT.

Meanwhile, state police have reduced speeds on the Mass. Pike to 40 mph from the New York border to Boston.

Residents are urged by officials to stay off the roads Thursday, and snow emergencies have been activated in many cities and towns.

Baker: 'The Challenge is Making Sure We Don't Fall Behind'

Mass. Governor Charlie Baker called in this morning and said his main goal is to stay ahead of the storm in terms of clearing roads and keeping trains running. He added that Keolis and the MBTA were much better equipped to deal with the storm than they were two years ago.

(Published Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017)

In a phone interview with us, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said the big problem with Thursday's storm is that it's "a quick hitter."

"The big challenge is making sure we don't fall behind," he added.

Boston's snow emergency took effect at 7 a.m., meaning people who have parked on certain major thoroughfares need to move their car to a parking garage or risk getting towed, according to Mayor Marty Walsh.

"Pay attention, help your neighbors, help out any elderly neighbors, and be careful, it's going to be very cold out there," he said.

He advises those who can't stay home to take their time and use public transportation.

"The snow is going to be very, very bad later on today, there's going to be blizzard-like conditions with the wind," Walsh said.

MassDOT Wants Drivers to Steer Clear of Roads

Thomas Tinlin from MassDOT talks about preparations for the storm and reminds drivers to stay off the road if possible.

(Published Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017)

Keolis, the company that manages the MBTA's commuter rail, said Thursday's ridership has been fairly light, which means people have been staying home.

Gov. Baker said Keolis is "far better off than they were two years ago" because it has more snow removal equipment than it did in the winter of 2015.

In Rhode Island, state police say troopers have responded to at least seven minor crashes and at least 10 spin outs, especially in the northern part of the state, which could see upwards of a foot of snow. No one was injured.